Chapter 56: A Precious Token!

"That sounds somewhat reasonable!"

The Sect Leader nodded, his expression softening slightly.

"Indeed!"

The others in the hall chimed in. After all, a request backed by reason is the most convincing.

At birth, people are inherently good. Furthermore, the boy had a severed left arm and was still young. Everyone remembers their own innocent childhood; regardless of one's nature, there is always some measure of compassion, especially toward a child of only a few years.

Moshan, with his quirky and eccentric mannerisms, looked around, shaking his head from side to side. Seeing that the murderous intent in the eyes of those present had vanished, his anxious heart finally settled. He had climbed the mountain with such great difficulty; it would have been a tragedy if they had mistaken him for a "Demon Stone" and killed him. Although he admitted to himself that he was a bit strange—often "dreaming" of killing people—he was far too different from the legends they described. A stone turning into a human? That was truly bizarre.

"Do you know what this token is for?" the Sect Leader asked Moshan with an enigmatic smile.

"It was given to me by an elder. He told me that if I ever needed anything, I could come to Wudang Mountain, and they would grant me a favor. It seems you owe someone a debt!"

Upon seeing the token, memories flooded back to Moshan. If not for Senior Canghai, if not for Ruoxi, he might have been dead long ago. At this thought, his mood grew inexplicably heavy, and the joy he had just felt was diluted by reality.

Moshan looked at the crowd in the great hall. Each of them possessed a dangerous aura, vast and boundless, like fierce tigers. Compared to them, he felt like an ant foolishly trying to challenge an elephant—a self-deceiving delusion. He knew that one day he would grow up to be a powerful and respected man. He wanted to be like Senior Canghai—a person of noble character who would share his own food with others and could even gift such a precious token away. In his mind, the figure of Senior Canghai slowly stretched, growing taller and taller.

If Senior Canghai could have known what was in Moshan's heart, he would surely have laughed out loud. He had simply felt a connection with the boy, and since the token was useless to him, he had given it away. He had long forgotten what the token was actually for. As for the food, it was common enough in the world; what did it matter if he gave the boy a bit?

"Then what is it that you want?" the Sect Leader asked intriguingly, still holding the token.

"I want you to help me rescue Ruoxi!" Moshan replied without hesitation. He had already decided on his goals before coming up the mountain: save her, learn martial arts, and become strong.

"If it is as you say, and that person is Lin Kuang, there is no reason for him to harm Lin Ruoxi. He might even enhance her genetic chain; she might become stronger because of it! He is, after all, Lin Ruoxi's grandfather. By all accounts, staying with a relative is the safest place to be! Even if you hadn't asked, we would have gone to find him to understand what exactly happened that day," the Sect Leader said slowly, his voice quiet yet powerful. "You may state another condition."

"Then I want to join the Wudang sect and study at the academy." Hearing that the Sect Leader would help rescue her as a matter of course, Moshan was stunned and spoke instinctively.

"As long as your talent is exceptional, joining the Wudang sect is no issue at all!" The Sect Leader waved his hand dismissively, signaling for Moshan to continue.

Moshan was overjoyed. It felt as if the Sect Leader would agree to whatever he asked, like a robot that only knew how to nod.

"I want to become strong!"

"Hmm!" The Sect Leader nodded helplessly, seeming uninterested in this condition. The hall erupted in laughter, as if this request were absurdly trivial.

"As long as your talent is outstanding and you are willing to work hard, all roads lead to Rome; becoming strong is a small matter. Child! Your thinking is a bit long-term! There are many ways to become strong: techniques, weapons, heavenly treasures, companions... if you possess all of these, aren't you becoming strong?"

"Laziness won't make you strong! Moshan! You are indeed still very young. Did your Senior Canghai not teach you how to ask for things?" The Sect Leader clapped his hands, drawing the attention of the laughing crowd, and continued. Usually, anyone seeking help would have prepared their conditions in advance—the most desired and difficult ones. But this boy? His requests were simpler one after another, not even requiring the Sect Leader to rack his brains.

"No! He said I should follow my heart!" Moshan blinked, his eyes clear and bright.

"..." The Sect Leader stared into those eyes, an inexplicable sense of amusement rising within him.

"I know what you need most!" Elder Qian, the Master of the Heart-Nurturing Hall, stepped out from the crowd and looked at Moshan.

The Sect Leader glanced at Elder Qian, his eyebrows twitching slightly. He felt that Elder Qian’s behavior was unexpected. If he were to touch upon a sore spot for Moshan, it might harm the sect's interests. However, the very act of giving away the token meant letting others gain benefits while they received the tokens created by their ancestors. If all the tokens were collected, they could obtain what the ancestors had left behind. The ancestors had also said that when these tokens could be opened, the world would face a great catastrophe; if they could survive it, prosperity would last for generations, but if not, it meant extinction.

So many years had passed, and the tokens had been like stones sinking into the sea, with no news at all—until now! Was that old guy Canghai trying to send a message, or simply arranging for this little fellow to be at Wudang? People rely on mutual exchange; once he helped, the person he helped would owe him, wouldn't they? It was simple. He wouldn't be able to find a way to deal with that old man otherwise!

Hearing the voice, Moshan’s eyes lit up, his gaze fixing intently on Elder Qian. "Please tell me, Elder Qian!" His heart seemed to hang on the elder's words, thumping in his chest.

"To have your severed arm regrown, leaving you whole and unharmed!" Elder Qian’s resounding voice echoed through the hall, stirring the heart of everyone present.